CMU grad student sets auditions for full-length crime film

While most decide to pull a few all-nighters to finish a very long capstone paper to get their master’s degree, Central Michigan University student Grant Pichla decided to do something a little different.

The broadcast and cinematic art student has decided to put together a Plan B production instead of a thesis to get his master’s.

“I opted to do a production because that’s what I’m mainly interested in,” the Ubly graduate student said. “I felt like this would be a good time to kind of put all my talents together and make something big. The film — it’s an assignment — but at the same time, it’s much bigger than that.”

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The film, a crime drama called “Niner” with influences from films like “Fargo,” “Se7en,” “L.A. Confidential” and “Insomnia,” was written by Internet Movie Database credited author Eric C. Dickson.

Pichla said he found Dickson online and contacted him in June. Dickson agreed to let Pichla turn his script into a full-length production.

“I know more about the ins and outs of editing and cameras, but I am in no way a writer,” Pichla laughed.

After obtaining the script, Pichla spent two months straight listing shots and storyboarding the entire production.

He drew 950 individual pictures with tablet software on his computer and started to list the props, locations and characters he would need for each scene.

Outside of classes, Pichla has been studying different styles of directing, cinematography and lighting.

Following casting, Pichla is expecting to shoot footage between February and June before starting on post-production.

He is hoping to have the independent film finished and ready for premiere between March and May of 2014.

“Two years is not a long span by any means for film production,” Pichla said. “Just to have something of this magnitude all come together, it’s going to be really, really awesome.”

Pichla obtained his bachelor’s degree from CMU as well.

In addition to his coursework, Pichla is also a graduate assistant. He works as a producer for the television show Central View, which has allowed him to make connections to many other students who will work as crew members for “Niner.”

Central View has also allowed Pichla to expand his talents.

“We really got acquainted with different filmmaking techniques,” he said. “We just really got to work with the camera, figure out lighting.”

One of the crew members, undergraduate junior Lauren Culver, is working as Pichla’s production manager.

Culver said she really enjoys working with Pichla.

“He teaches you everything that he knows, and (helps) you understand what his thinking is,” she said.

Culver said she has helped Pichla spot out locations and make lists of equipment and scenes.

She said she spends a few hours a week on the project, but nothing compared to the amount of time Pichla puts into it.

“Oh jeez, he eats, sleeps and breathes ‘Niner,’” she laughed. “You can ... tell he’s really passionate about what he does.”

Randi Shaffer is a reporter at the Morning Sun. She can be reached at 989-779-6059, rshaffer@michigannewspapers.com or follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/randi.shaffer.